The world of Westeros is heading to Stratford‑upon‑Avon. The Royal Shakespeare Company has confirmed that Game of Thrones: The Mad King, a new stage epic adapted by Duncan Macmillan and directed by Dominic Cooke, will premiere at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre this summer. The production promises to immerse audiences in the final years before the novels, reimagining the downfall of Aerys II with bold staging and a creative team stacked with award‑winning talent.
Quick read
- World premiere at Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford‑upon‑Avon.
- Run: 20 July – 5 September 2026.
- Official opening night: 8 August 2026.
What the play promises
The RSC describes The Mad King as a sweeping stage epic that will plunge audiences into the intrigue of Westeros before Robert’s Rebellion. The play dramatizes Aerys II’s descent into paranoia and cruelty, with familiar houses — Targaryen, Stark, Lannister, Baratheon, Martell — drawn into the shadow of Harrenhal. The production will use a bold new seating configuration to place audiences “at the very heart of the action,” echoing the immersive spectacle of the HBO series while carving out its own theatrical identity.
Joining Cooke and Macmillan are puppetry and movement heads Nick Barnes and Finn Caldwell, Olivier Award winners for Life of Pi. Chloe Lamford designs the set, Georgia McGuinness costumes, Jon Clark lighting, Will Stuart composition, and Tom Gibbons sound. Casting is led by Amy Ball CDG, with Jeannette Nelson on voice and text, Hazel Holder on dialect, and Francesca Roche consulting on period dance. The RSC’s co‑artistic directors Daniel Evans and Tamara Harvey hailed the collaboration as “ambitious and exhilarating,” promising an experience that reimagines George R.R. Martin’s world for the stage.
Key art and opening dates for the ‘Game of Thrones: The Mad King’ play has been revealed:
The play opens at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon on July 20th until September 5th, but the official opening will be on August 8th.
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Performance schedule and booking
The run begins Monday 20 July 2026, with the official opening night set for Saturday 8 August. The production closes Saturday 5 September. Priority booking opens 14 April at 10am, with public booking available from 22 April. Tickets start at £20 plus fees, with discounts subject to eligibility. Special performances include captioned, audio‑described, and chilled shows, ensuring accessibility for diverse audiences.
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The RSC has also scheduled creative team talks and post‑show discussions, giving fans a chance to explore the adaptation process. Co‑produced with Simon Painter, Tim Lawson, Mark Manuel, Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures (on behalf of HBO), and Access Entertainment, The Mad King marks the most ambitious attempt yet to bring Martin’s saga to the stage. For fans, it’s a chance to witness the paranoia, betrayal, and blood‑soaked legacy of Aerys II — live, in the heart of Shakespeare country.
